Same-Side Gas Detector with Toric Lens for Compact Respiratory Monitoring
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing systems for monitoring the composition of breathable gas in respiratory circuits are limited by the need for separate emitter and detector positions, which can compromise accuracy and form factor, and do not effectively utilize optical elements to enhance measurement precision.
Innovation Solution
A gas measurement module with an emitter and detector on the same side of the sampling chamber, utilizing infrared electromagnetic radiation that passes through and back across the chamber, guided by optical elements including at least one toric element, to enhance measurement accuracy and reduce the size of the module.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If the emitter and detector are positioned on opposite sides of the sampling chamber, then the optical path length is maximized for a given chamber size, but the device complexity and form factor are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent inverts the conventional configuration by positioning both the emitter and detector on the same side of the sampling chamber. This is achieved by introducing a reflective surface that redirects the optical path, allowing the electromagnetic radiation to traverse the sampling chamber multiple times (forward and backward paths) before reaching the detector. This inversion resolves the contradiction by maintaining a compact form factor while effectively doubling or multiplying the optical path length through the clever use of reflection geometry.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent adds a spatial dimension to the optical path by using a reflective surface positioned at an angle within the sampling chamber. Instead of a simple linear path from emitter to detector, the optical radiation follows a multi-dimensional trajectory that includes forward traversal, reflection off the angled surface, and backward traversal. This dimensional approach allows the optical path to fold back on itself, effectively increasing the path length without increasing the physical footprint of the device.
2Measurement precision
If the optical path length is increased to improve measurement precision, then the detection accuracy improves, but the size of the module increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses the reflective surface to invert and fold the optical path back through the sampling chamber. The electromagnetic radiation travels from the emitter through the sampling chamber, reflects off the angled surface, and returns through the same chamber to the detector. This creates an effective optical path length that is multiple times the physical dimension of the chamber, thereby improving detection accuracy without proportionally increasing the module size.
Solution Approach 2:
The optical path is nested within the compact sampling chamber volume by using the reflective surface to fold the radiation path back on itself. The forward path and backward path are nested within the same physical space, allowing the optical radiation to traverse the sampling chamber multiple times without requiring multiple separate chambers or extended physical dimensions. This nesting approach maximizes the optical path length within the constrained module volume.
3Ease of operation
If separate emitter and detector positions are used, then the optical detection is simplified, but the form factor and power management are worsened
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the emitter and detector positions onto the same side of the sampling chamber, while still maintaining functional separation of their roles. Both components are positioned adjacent to each other on one side, with the reflective surface positioned at an angle within the chamber to redirect the optical path. This merged configuration reduces the overall form factor and improves power management by consolidating components, while the reflective surface ensures that the optical detection function remains effective through the extended folded path.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This configuration improves the accuracy and form factor of gas composition monitoring in respiratory circuits by doubling the optical path length, allowing for more precise detection of gas parameters like carbon dioxide concentration, while reducing the module's size and enhancing power management.
Implementation Method 1
The emitter is configured to emit infrared electromagnetic radiation. The optical elements are configured to guide the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter into a sampling chamber through a first side, across the sampling chamber to a second side of the sampling chamber that is opposite to the first side of the sampling chamber, back across the sampling chamber to the first side of the sampling chamber, and onto the detector
Implementation Method 2
At least one of the optical elements is a toric element. The optical elements are configured to guide the electromagnetic radiation emitted by the emitter into a sampling chamber through a first side, across the sampling chamber to a second side of the sampling chamber
Implementation Method 3
The detector is configured to generate output signals conveying information related to one or more parameters of electromagnetic radiation that becomes incident thereon. The optical elements are configured to guide the emitted electromagnetic radiation through the first side of the sampling chamber, across the sampling chamber to a second side of the sampling chamber that is opposite to the first side of the sampling chamber, back across the sampling chamber to the first side of the sampling chamber, and onto the detector
Data Source
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AI summary
A gas measurement module (16) for use with an airway adapter (22) is configured such that both an emitter (48) and a detector (52, 54) are disposed on the same side of a sampling chamber (46) formed within the airway adapter. Optical elements (56) that guide electromagnetic radiation from the emitter back and forth across the sampling chamber to the detector include at least one toric element. The at least one toric element compensates for a tilted folding mirror positioned on a side of the sampling chamber opposite from the emitter and the detector.